Building a Legacy Worth Leaving A Study in Hebrews 11 Harry W. Lewis

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. Hebrews 11:17-19

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  One of the greatest test of a man’s legacy is experienced by Abraham – God’s promise was to make him a great nation – God had rejected Abraham’s plan: let his servant be the heir – God had rejected Sara’s plan: let Ishmael be the heir – God’s plan was completed in the birth of Isaac when Abraham was 100 years old

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  Abraham’s life had been far from perfect  He has overcome all of that to arrive at the intended destination of having a son to fulfill the promises: – He would become a great nation – He would be a blessing to all nations  The stage was set!

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  The greatest test of Abraham’s faith:  22 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”  And he said, “Here I am.”  2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”  3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad [a] and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”a

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”  And he said, “Here I am, my son.”  Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”  8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.  9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  11 But the Angel of the L ORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”  So he said, “Here I am.”  12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”  13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-L ORD -Will-Provide; [b] as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the L ORD it shall be provided.”b

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  15 Then the Angel of the L ORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the L ORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— 17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba. Genesis 22:1-19

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  God’s emphasis is clear: – Abraham is to sacrifice his only son as an act of obedience – The son whom he loved – It was a courageous act of faith in God! – Abraham’s actions proved his faith in God!

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  Abraham had faith that God would keep His promises by raising Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19)  Only Abraham was aware of God’s command – Isaac was not aware – The servants were not aware

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  Isaac’s curiosity was aroused: – He saw the wood – He saw the fire – He did not see the lamb: Where is the lamb?  Abraham’s faith was not deterred: God will provide the lamb!

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  Abraham’s faith in action: – He built the altar – He arranged the wood for the sacrifice – He bound Isaac and placed him on the altar – He took the knife to offer the sacrifice

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  God’s intervention: – The Angel of the Lord stopped Abraham – The covenant is confirmed: I will bless you I will multiply your descendants In your seed all the nations shall be blessed  Because you have obeyed My voice

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  God provided substitute as a sacrifice for Isaac – a ram caught in the brush  God provided a Substitute for each of us: Jesus Christ on the Cross!  What a legacy that was left for Isaac to see the faith of his father, Abraham.  It is a challenge for us to walk by faith in the promises of God

Session Seven: Faith in God’s Promises (Part II)  Note: Mount Moriah has special significance: – David build an altar their when God stopped the plague – It is the location where the temple was built  God is very intentional in all that He does. Not is done by happenstance!